HELMETED HORNBILL

*Helmeted Hornbill (_Rhinoplax vigil_) – “Bared” Bird

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Introduction
The *_Helmeted Hornbill (_Rhinoplax vigil__), often called the *Bared Hornbill*, is an extraordinary, monotypic member of the Bucerotidae family. Native to the lowland rainforests of Sumatra, Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, and southern Thailand, it is famed for its massive, helmet‑shaped *casque* (solid keratin “tanduk”) and a resonant, trumpet‑like call that echoes for kilometres. Today it is critically endangered due to poaching for its casque and massive habitat loss.

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Taxonomy & Naming
- *Scientific name:* _Rhinoplax vigil_ (Forster, 1781)
- *Family:* Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
- *Genus:* _Rhinoplax_ – monotypic (single species).
- *Common names:*
- English: *Helmeted Hornbill*
- Indonesian: *Burung Bared*, *Rombeng*
- Malay: *Enggang Gasi*

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Description
- *Size:* One of the largest hornbills.
- Length: *110–120 cm* (not counting tail).
- Wingspan: *150–170 cm*.
- Weight: *2.5–3.5 kg*.
- *Plumage:*
- *Male:* Black head, neck, and breast; white belly. Wings and back black with a white basal tail band. *Casque* bright orange‑red to yellow at tip, black base.
- *Female:* Duller, smaller casque, less red.
- *Bill:* Massive, yellow‑gold with a black tip, curved downward.
- *Eyes:* Red iris (male), brown (female).
- *Legs:* Black, strong for perching on massive branches.

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Habitat & Distribution
- *Range:* Lowland dipterocarp forest (0–1,200 m) of *Sumatra, Borneo (Indonesia), Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, and extreme southern Myanmar*.
- *Preferred habitat:* Primary forest with giant emergent trees (≥ 1 m DBH) for nesting, near rivers or swampy areas.
- *Population:* Highly fragmented; estimated *< 2,500 mature individuals* (IUCN 2023).

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Behaviour & Ecology
Diet
- *Frugivorous:* Mainly *figs (_Ficus_)*, wild durian, rambutan, and other forest fruits.
- *Opportunistic:* Small insects, lizards, nestlings, occasionally carrion.
- *Feeding technique:* Drops fruit from height to crack it, then retrieves pieces on the ground.

Reproduction
- *Breeding season:* Varies (generally March–July).
- *Nest:* Natural tree cavity 20–30 m above ground; female seals entrance with mud, dung, and fruit pulp, leaving a narrow slit.
- *Clutch:* 1–2 eggs (usually 1).
- *Incubation:* 40–45 days (female).
- *Chick:* Male supplies food through the slit; chick fledges after ~ 90 days.

Vocalisation
- Loud, resonant *“hoo…hoo…hoo”* that carries 1–2 km.
- Used for territory, mate attraction, and group cohesion.

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Conservation Status
- *IUCN Red List:* *Critically Endangered (2023)*.
- *Major threats:*
- *Poaching for casque:* Sold for carving, ornament, and traditional medicine.
- *Habitat loss:* Logging, conversion to oil‑palm, coal mining.
- *Illegal trade:* Black‑market demand for live birds.
- *Protection measures:*
- *CITES Appendix I* (international trade ban).
- Community‑based forest patrols (Sumatra, Kalimantan).
- Captive breeding attempts (e.g., Indonesia’s _Kuala Langat_ facility).
- Awareness campaigns linking casque trade to extinction risk.

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Interesting Facts
- *Casque composition:* Solid keratin, ~ 30 % of body length; used in male contests and as a sound resonator.
- *Monogamous:* Pair bonds often lifelong; both parents invest heavily in raising a single chick.
- *Seasonal movement:* Follows fruiting cycles of figs and other key trees.
- *Longevity:* Up to *30–40 years* in the wild.

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Quick Reference Table
Feature Detail
Length 110–120 cm
Wingspan 150–170 cm
Weight 2.5–3.5 kg
Habitat Lowland dipterocarp forest
Diet Figs, wild fruits, insects, small vertebrates
Nest Tree cavity, sealed by female
Clutch 1–2 eggs
IUCN Status Critically Endangered
Threats Poaching (casque), deforestation
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Sources: IUCN Red List, BirdLife International, _Handbook of the Birds of the World_.

Curious about how the casque is formed or what loca